Thurman Back with a Bang, Outclasses Josesito

Keith Thurman was at the top of his game. (Andy Samuelson/Premier Boxing Champions)

It was a competitive match between quality fighters, and their embrace at the end felt as genuine as the action preceding it…

Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in a fight televised live on FS1 and FOX Deportes, Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs), reigning and defending WBA World welterweight champion from Clearwater, Florida, successfully defended his title after a long hiatus by outpointing the always solid Josesito Lopez (36-8, 19 KOs), aka “The Riverside Rocky” from Riverside, California.

It was a majority decision after 12 rounds of action. The final scores were 117-109 (Tom Schrek), 115-111 (Steve Weisfeld), and 113-113 (Don Ackerman).

Fighting out of the blue corner in red, white and blue trunks, Thurman fought as if he had never been away. There was no sign of ring rust. There was indication he was an injured fighter. Athletic, smart, defensive-minded but willing to mix it up, Thurman was at the top of his game and boxing is better off with him in action.

He may have lost, but enough can’t be said about Josesito Lopez. Fighting out of the red corner in white trunks with multicolor trim, Lopez, a 50 to 1 underdog, and unlike the man he hoped to dethrone, falls just shy of being an elite boxer-puncher. But doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. He is focused. And facing elite fighters and getting raw decisions is nothing new for the resilient “Riverside Rocky.”

The scores Saturday night were fair and square if widely divergent, and Keith Thurman mostly had his way. He dropped Josesito in round two. But Lopez rocked Thurman in the middle rounds and things were touch and go in rounds seven through nine.

Thurman wasn’t shy about using the ring, especially when he was hurt. It was either that or hold on for dear life. Thurman fought his way back into the fight he had been dominating. It was back and forth until the final bell, a competitive match between quality fighters, and their embrace at the end felt as genuine as the action preceding it.

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This was a very entertaining card. Thurman showed some serious cojones coming back after Josesito almost had him out. Props to both. Josesito didn’t do any damage to his career here and hopefully will help him make some nice additional paydays over the next year or so. As for Thurman, his vulnerability in this fight will make for some entertaining upcoming bouts with much bigger names…Peace.

“I’m going to be a Daddy!” Not exactly the usual post fight shit talk and infinitely removed from the standing ovation in the NY State Senate Chamber, where one in ten are Shoah deniers, for legalized infanticide!

It was a good entertaining free card to watch.
Marrero is dirty little prick and the ref should have been all over him. The Mongol had a good showing, Attila would be proud!
Butterbean’s son in the heavyweight division surprised the hell out of me. Unbelievable stamina for a pudgy Pollock.
Thurman got lucky and hats off to Lopez for pressing the show. It won’t be so lucky for Thurman against Crawford who knows how to finish his man. Is Thurman really back in town???

Thurman is a very smart fighter and tough as nails. Fighting Lopez was very risky and a courageous first step back after 22 months. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s ahead for One Time in this hotly contested 147lb. division.

Thurman was a pleasure to watch—graceful as well as effective moves and Josesito did himself proud. A tough, clean fight that left a very good impression about both men. As for Your Name’s Bicycle remark, check out Tunney-Dempsey 2.